Mastering the Art of Vacuum Bagging

Since building a wooden boat with my son a few years ago, I've been a fan of all things related to epoxy and composites. You can make just about anything with a little Styrofoam, fiberglass or carbon fiber sheets, and some epoxy resin. Even modern passenger jets such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner are built using composite construction.

But working with epoxy and composites is a bit of an art, and, as with any art, it takes time to master the techniques. One of the most powerful and useful techniques is the process of vacuum bag molding, or vacuum bagging, in which a layers of composite material and adhesive are placed over a mold and then sealed in a bag. Air is then removed by the vacuum, which compresses the layers over the mold to produce a laminated workpiece.

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I watched a handful of videos on the subject trying to get a better understanding of the process. One of my favorites, about vacuum bagging a canoe hull, can be seen above. There are thousands of uses for composites in remodeling, from cabinetry and countertops to custom shower areas and even structural components. Have you ever done any epoxy work with a vacuum bag? If so, I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Tim Layton is a home and DIY blogger for Popular Mechanics. Follow him on Twitter: @RemodelingGuy

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